Thursday, July 30, 2009

Saving for More Sunny Days

I haven't blogged the past two weeks because I have felt pretty uninspired. Following our staycation, I returned to work with a heavy heart because I had to go back to work while my husband, the teacher, continues to enjoy his summer days. It was fun while it lasted. Since then, I must admit, I have been a bit down in the dumps.

Now, I must admit, he hasn't been completely carefree. It's like I have a totally different husband for the summer. He cleans like no one's business. Not that he doesn't help out here and there, but, it's nothing like what I have come home to lately. For instance, yesterday he did five loads of wash (including folding) and sorted out papers in the office for filing and shredding. I know I am lucky, but, I am still jealous that he is home while I am at work.

All in all, it has been a good summer, but, it has been going way too fast- only 1 month left. And even though we have had to scale back a bit, we are still luckier than most considering both of us are still working and we are still moving little by little towards a goal. The goals have shifted a bit, from buying a house to paying off our debts and saving more money, but, none the less they are goals. Like many, I have learned a lesson from this economy; always put away something to plan for the unexpected. Also: work on paying down your debt whenever possible. In the long run, it will get you further.

Speaking of which, I recently found a new resource about saving moneysavingadvice.com. As you probably guessed, the web site offers lots of helpful tips on ways to save, freebies, financial news and includes a number of blogs on personal finance.

Hope you are planning to enjoy what's left of your summer days in whatever way makes you most happy. And as for feeling jealous, I think I am getting over it. Having learned some lessons about my personal finance, I am hopeful there are some brighter days ahead for all of us.

The Women

Susie is a happily married thriving stay-at-home mom of her 5 and 19-year old daughters, a tireless caretaker of her elderly mother and budding blogger and entrepreneur. You may know her from Susie's Homemade .

Brenda is a mostly stay-at-home mom to her preschool-age son. After twelve years as a high school German teacher, she is now is an adjunct instructor of German at the community college level and also teaches German to six to nine year olds at Houston's German Saturday School, where her son also attends a weekly Kindergarten. She and her husband reside in Tomball, Texas, northwest of Houston. Brenda spends her free time reading, exploring Houston, traveling, and engaging in all things German!

Kari is an instructional designer working on development of online courses for adult education. She and her husband, Ben, live in Chicago where she enjoys taking photos, volunteering, visiting the museums, and exploring the city.

Diane tires of the mundane easily. That's why she got a kickin' job as a journalist, but as a result, she doesn't have time for much else. Despite that, she managed to get married and have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter. She is also pregnant right now. So be nice.